Belotero Balance, Restylane, Juvéderm and more at Alabama Cosmetic Center

Hyaluronic acid is a natural substance found in your body. High concentrations are found in soft connective tissues and in the fluid surrounding your eyes. It is also present in skin tissue as well as some cartilage and joint fluids.

Extracted and reformulated hyaluronic acid is one of the most popular kinds of soft tissue fillers. The same substance is often injected into the aching joints of people with arthritis to ease pain and provide extra cushioning. Hyaluronic acid is not derived from animal sources.

Hyaluronic Acid Wrinkle Fillers at Hedden Plastic Surgery replenish the face with youthful fullness. Products formulated with hyaluronic acid act like an inflated cushion to support facial structures and tissues that have lost volume or elasticity due to normal aging. These Dermal Fillers also bring water to the surface of skin to keep it looking fresh and supple.

Injections of Juvéderm, Restylane, Belotero Balance and Hylaform at our Alabama cosmetic surgery practice in Birmingham are a quick, safe and effective way to rejuvenate and revitalize the skin with a minimally-invasive procedure.

Hyaluronic Acid Candidates

Hyaluronic acid injections can be used to improve the skin's contour and reduce depressions in the skin due to scars, injury or lines. You can see potentially dramatic improvements for:

Acne scars.

Cheek depressions.

Crow's feet at the corner of your eyes.

Deep smile lines that run from the side of the nose to the corners of the mouth (nasolabial furrows).

Frown lines between the eyebrows.

Marionette lines at the corners of the mouth.

Redefining lip border.

Scars including burns, acne and those caused by wounds.

Smoker's lines, vertical lines on the mouth.

Some facial scars.

Worry lines that run across your forehead.

Treatments with hyaluronic acid dermal fillers help to improve your appearance temporarily, but are not a permanent solution and will not stop the aging process. Some people opt to have these injections, often called a "liquid facelift," to delay the time when a surgical Facelift is more appropriate. Impressive changes and improvements in your appearance can be made until you are ready for a permanent surgical option.

You may not achieve the results you want with just one treatment, depending on how your body reacts to the injections. Most patients need at least three visits before they are completely satisfied with their results.

Hyaluronic Acid Risks and Safety Information

Most people tolerate hyaluronic acid injectables without irritation or complications. The area may be red, swollen and bruised just after your treatment. This tenderness should go away within a few days.

Almost anyone is a good candidate for hyaluronic acid dermal fillers. It is almost always suggested as an alternative treatment to people who have a skin test for bovine collagen and develop an allergy. However, some people may experience an allergic reaction or red and/or thickened nodules that arise in the injected sites that can persist for several weeks or months.

Hyaluronic acid injections can be dangerous in the wrong or inexperienced hands. In addition to seeking a doctor who is trained and qualified in facial plastic surgery, make sure your physician has specific experience with these types of injections. Even though the injections may ultimately be delivered by another healthcare professional in the surgeon's office, it will be with the surgeon's close supervision.

Hyaluronic Acid Procedure

Tiny amounts of hyaluronic acid are injected into your face with very fine needles. You can expect very little discomfort.

Your surgeon will first listen to your desired results and evaluate your facial appearance and skin tone, examining the areas of your face to be augmented with a hyaluronic acid product. Next, the surgeon will mark strategic points on your face as guides to the appropriate injection sites.

The injection sites will be cleansed with an antibacterial agent. A topical anesthetic will be used to numb the area, particularly if you are sensitive to injections. Some hyaluronic acid products include an anesthetic.

The treatments typically take less than 30 minutes, depending how many lines are treated. The actual injections take just a few minutes total and just seconds per site.

Following treatment, the marks are washed away and you will be offered an ice pack to reduce any minor, temporary discomfort. You may apply makeup at this point, but be careful not to apply pressure to the treated areas. Doing so may result in movement of the filler.

Scars and deep lines often require multiple injections to achieve your desired results. If a deeper injection is required, you will be offered a local anesthetic to remain comfortable. Common sites for deeper tissue fillers are the nasolabial folds and marionette lines or to enhance fullness in the cheeks.

Hyaluronic Acid Recovery and Results

Be careful not to rub the treated area. You can resume most activities immediately following hyaluronic acid filler injections.

Hyaluronic acid soft tissue wrinkle filler injections usually last from 3 to 5 months depending on your lifestyle, body chemistry and the rate at which you are naturally aging. Most patients have new hyaluronic injections two to three times a year to maintain their youthful appearance.

If you decide not to re-treat, your appearance will return to its original condition. Wrinkles and scars will return and plumped lips will lose volume.